Yasukazu Hamada

As the political head of a more outward-looking Japanese military the Self-Defence Forces Yasukazu Hamada is taking a robust line against pirates based in Somalia...

Other ministers important for Africa are Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito from governing coalition partner Komeito - who may block JBIC projects which damage the environment; Shigeru Ishiba Agriculture Minister will be involved in efforts to boost African agriculture; and Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada who will engage in security issues after fact-finding missions in East and Central Africa...